Victim Services Program

Help is available for victims of, and witnesses to, a crime -- the murder of a loved one ... a sexual assault ... the disclosure of a molest. Victim Services staff members cannot take the pain away nor can they bring back a loved one, but they can help victims and their families meet the immediate and long-term needs created by crime in their lives.

The Yolo County Victim Services Program was created out of state legislation enacted in 1980. The program has been in existence since that time and housed in the District Attorney's Office. Dedicated to providing comprehensive services to victims of violent crime, Victim Services Program staff provide information about the criminal justice system and advocates for the rights of victims of violent crime. Some of the services they provide are:

Resource counseling and the referral to appropriate agencies.

Acting as a liaison between victims and the criminal justice system.

Attending court hearings with victims or informing victims about court proceedings, including information about restitution and court protective orders.

U-Visa

The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office encourages undocumented immigrants who are victims of crime to report the incident to law enforcement. We are only concerned about the details of the crime, not your immigration status.

A U-Visa status (also known as U nonimmigrant status) is designed to provide lawful status to noncitizen crime victims who have assisted, are assisting, or are willing to assist the authorities in investigating or prosecuting crimes that were committed against them. The main purpose of the U-Visa is to encourage undocumented crime victims to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute crimes without fear of being deported.

U-Visa FAQs

I AM AN UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENT OF CALIFORNIA AND HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF A SERIOUS CRIME. I AM AFRAID TO REPORT THE CRIME BECAUSE I MIGHT BE DEPORTED.
As the victim of a serious crime you may be eligible to apply for a U-Visa. The U-Visa gives victims of certain crimes temporary legal status and work eligibility in the United States for up to 4 years.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A U-VISA?
The U-Visa gives law enforcement agencies the ability to investigate and prosecute certain types of crimes while, at the same time, offering protection to cooperative victims so that they may aid in the investigation, apprehension and prosecution without fear of deportation.

I AM THE VICTIM OF A CRIME. DO I QUALIFY FOR A U-VISA?
U-Visas may be available to undocumented immigrants who been the victim of one of the following crimes:

*Includes any similar activity where the elements of the crime are substantially similar.
†Also includes attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any of the above, and other related, crimes.

To qualify a victim must also have useful information concerning the crime which occurred; have helped, or is likely to help, in the investigation or prosecution of the crime; and the crime committed violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the United States.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A U-VISA?
Filing a U-Visa is complex and may require the assistance by an experienced immigration attorney, please speak with a victim advocate about available resources in the community.

IS THERE A LIMIT ON THE NUMBER OF U-VISAS IMMIGRATION CAN APPROVE?
Immigration may grant no more than 10,000 U-Visas in any fiscal year. The limit does not apply to spouses, children, parents, and unmarried siblings who are accompanying or following to join the primary victim. If the cap is reached in any fiscal year before all petitions are approved, Immigration will create a waiting list. Applicants placed on the waiting list will be given deferred action (they will be eligible to apply for employment authorization and permitted to travel) until their petitions can be approved after the start of the following fiscal year.

HOW LONG CAN AN IMMIGRANT HAVE A U-VISA?
U-Visa status cannot exceed 4 years. After 3 years an immigrant in U-Visa status can apply to become a lawfully permanent resident.